FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Efficient and Effective School Governance Task Force met for the first time under Chair Mike Nemes and first heard from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio on Monday.
“Unless it pertains to how we can do better, then we don’t have time for the gripes and moans and groans," Nemes declared after calling the meeting to order.
Pollio spoke on the top challenges facing the state's largest school district. He said staffing shortages were their biggest problem. He also shared concern over growing numbers of chronically absent students — who miss every 1 in 10 days of school — and the time students have lost in the classroom.
Transportation issues at the district, which the Department of Justice is looking into, contributed to millions of lost instructional minutes this last school year. With cuts to magnet transportation, Pollio hopes to recover the time lost.
“One of the toughest of my career without a doubt," the superintendent said of his decision. "I’m committed to making sure kids are in school from every minute of the day."
Additionally, out of the 8,000 students in this summer’s Backpack League program, he said the district is making up even more time.
Pollio also showed an increased graduation rate – up 5.4% from pre-COVID levels – as another JCPS improvement.
The number of JCPS students with trade school certifications or college credit also increased from the pre-COVID era, from 50% to 80%.
Those increases come as JCPS faces an issue both the superintendent and task force chair agreed on: increased needs of students.
“Teachers and principals are expected to do so many things that probably a generation ago were not expected in schools," Pollio said.
“Teachers didn’t have to be a counsellor back in the day," Nemes agreed. "A lot of us old guys say, ‘well you behaved in school because one of the worst things you could get is a call home.’ Well now, they may not even have a number to call.”
Nemes said the task force will help with the legislature's pen backing it up. Pollio challenged him to look at the root causes of issues. On absenteeism, Nemes proposed more truancy officers while Pollio pushed for building community and engagement with learning.
Despite challenges, Pollio is focused on looking ahead.
“I’ve never been more optimistic about the future of JCPS than I am now," he said.
The hope comes as parents, the task force and federal government are watching to see how this year’s transportation plan is executed.
The task force meets again on July 29. Its findings are due by Dec 1.
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